--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Any society that values wealth above…" description: "\"Any society that values wealth above freedom will lose its freedom, and will ultimately lose its wealth as well\" — W. Somerset Maugham" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/w-somerset-maugham-237_freedom_any-society-that-values-wealth-above-fre_3041716.jpg" --- # Any society that values wealth above freedom will lose its… ![“Any society that values wealth above freedom will lose its freedom, and will ultimately lose its wealth as well” quote by W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/w-somerset-maugham-237_freedom_any-society-that-values-wealth-above-fre_3041716.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/w-somerset-maugham-237_freedom_any-society-that-values-wealth-above-fre_3041716.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfe/w-somerset-maugham-237_freedom_any-society-that-values-wealth-above-fre_3041716.jpg) > “Any society that values wealth above freedom will lose its freedom, and will ultimately lose its wealth as well” [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritizing wealth over freedom erodes both, as true prosperity depends on liberty. **In simple terms:** Wealth without freedom collapses. Key Takeaway Balance wealth and freedom. Themes wealth freedom society Mood cautionary thought‑provoking Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy making - economic planning - civil rights advocacy - public discourse Key Concepts political economy ethical trade-offs Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards protect freedom? - How can societies value both? A Different Perspective Freedom may be sacrificed for short-term gain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [If a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom, and the irony of it is that if it is comfort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/if-a-nation-values-anything-more-than-freedom-it-will-lose-its/) [W. 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Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“My dear, you used to be quite a dish; now you're quite a tureen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/my-dear-you-used-to-be-quite-a-dish-now-you-re-quite-a-tureen/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“When people say they do not care what others thing of them, for the most part they deceive themselves”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/when-people-say-they-do-not-care-what-others-thing-of-them-for-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) [Explore all 840 W. 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